Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1887-01-22
A January Cruise in the Banana Belt.

Editor Tribune:
For the past two weeks my duties have
called me hence, to wonder amid the beau
| tiful valleys Of Northern al ontana, and, be-
| ing of an enquiring turn of mind, besides
somewhat interested in the stock business
l made it special point to gather what
information I could in that line.
From the snow covered crest of the Fu-
ture Great [ strayed to the industrious lit
| tie village of Choteau, where was met by
Mr.. Jackson the genial and whole souled
proprietor Of the Jackson House. While
fostering in his well kept place I learned
from the owners of large bands of stock in
that vicinity that animals of every de-
scription were in thriving condition. The
snow fall has not been to excede eleven
inches, the weather mild, that is to say
there has been no driving, freezing biz
yards to run them down in flesh and stock
of all kinds are doing exceedingly well.
My wayward yearnings then sought ref
uge within the grotesque portals of Angus
ia where dined at the worthy and well
provided table of W. H. Kirkaldie.
Here in this beautiful valley surround
ed as it is by natural wealth and pictur-
esquo splendor, decked with almost in
Vulnerable bands of cattle, horses and
foeks of sheep, l learned from the gpleas-
ant inhabitants that no hay had yet been
fed, that stock on the open range were
still fat and stockmen were all iubilant
over the prospects of an open winter.
Yet my weary spirit pined for new
scenes. I sighed, alas! regretful sigh, to
think of leaving this home of grandeur to
travel in hoar frost and snow drifts. But
| forgot, this is the banana belt. That
must have been the time when the bananas
got frozen, of which the Rising San
speaks. On entering Flat creek valley I
found considerable snow, perhaps fifteen
inches, but the grass still waved above the
snow in sufficient quantities for stock to
subsist and no dead ones were seen or
heard Of Reaching the Flat creek station
I found Mr. Ellis in very poor health, suf
fering from internal injuries receive
from the overturning of loaded wagon.
l am pleased to say however that he is get
ting along nicely.
From here scaled the Bird Tail divide,
passed the Mission and followed wind
ing road down to Dodge. There to my
horror, I saw the lifeless form of red
cow. She had slipped down the bank of
the river and lodged in the willows on her
back and being helpless she soon passed
in her checks. Thus far on my trip this
was the first dead animal / saw or heard
of. At Ulidia I saw petition for the
creation of new county, making Great
Falls the county seat, which was met with
universal favor. My slumber was broken
that night by the roaring tumult Of . ter
rife wind; listened; it was not pierc-
ing, chilling wind, that fairly freezes aper-
sons life-blood at first touch, but it had
mild, soft, melting sound which seemed
to say: Chinook, the preserver of the
universe, reigns," or, as our local poet
says
Far into the colossus ice gorge leak it
tore,
Mountains trembling their accent bore
When Chinook wrought its blessings DER.
On rising next morning found the
whole country running brook and the
snow all gone.
After leaving Gorham I soon found my
way but with much difficulty however, to
a stage station on the Helena & Benton
line known as Sun River crossing.
There being no fuel here I soon hastened
toward Great Falls and feasted under the
hospitable roof of the Park hotel and.enjoy-
ed the luxuriant spread on Mr.. Ehrhart's
table.
And here I am again, Mr.. Editor, and
here am going to stay. [ have found no
place throughout the west where the peo-
pie have SO much life, energy and enter
prise as they have here, and I iye in sin
cere hopes that I may, In time, be classed
among your energetic citizens.
Yours, ETC.,
JAS. CoMsTocK.
A large stock of Singer sewing machines
on hand at the agency of C. P. Thomson.